Transparent window assembly

ABSTRACT

A transparent window assembly includes a window body defining an opening therethrough; a first hollow frame mounted on the window body at one side of the opening and formed with an engagement groove; a second hollow frame mounted on the window body at the other side of the opening in such a manner that the first and second hollow frames are fastened securely to the opening; a transparent element disposed between the first and second hollow frames and a clamping unit fixed to the engagement groove in the first hollow frame and defining a clamping space together with the transparent element.

This application claims the benefits of the Taiwan Patent Application Serial NOs. 102212856 and 102212857 filed on Jul. 8, 2013, the subject matters of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a window assembly, more particularly to a transparent window assembly, which includes a first hollow frame with an engagement groove, a second hollow frame and a transparent element clamped between the first and second hollow frames.

2. Description of the Prior Art

We generally keep an article or a half-finished product, such as camera or an experiment sample, within a moisture-proof cabinet or drying oven in order to prevent that specific article from being damaged due to humidity in the atmosphere. To facilitate viewing of the specific article kept therein without opening the window of the cabinet, a transparent window assembly is usually installed on the cabinet. In addition, the transparent window assembly is also mounted on a drying oven to facilitate observation of an object kept the drying oven.

During the mass production of the moisture-proof cabinet or drying oven, some production tables, likes times and batch number are usually stuck on the transparent window assembly by the production operator. Since the mass production is carried under the intensive temperature, the stuck table after removal often left a scar on the transparent window assembly, which, in turn, hinders the viewing of the interior of the drying oven. In order to eliminate this defect, the present technique utilizes a holding frame with a clamping section projecting outwardly and integrally therefrom and defining a clamping space therebetween. A production table can be clamped by the clamping section and the transparent window.

In addition, in case the transparent window assembly is installed on the moisture-proof cabinet, the latter only requires a piece of transparent element owing to its lower temperature thereof. On the contrary, a drying oven may require more that one piece of transparent element in order to maintain the high temperature therein. Generally, thick transparent element or multi layers of transparent element are provided in order to maintain the high temperature therein. Increase in the thickness or layers of transparent element needs an altered or new design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As stated above, since the presently available transparent window assembly is integrally formed with a clamping section for clamping a piece of paper, its design cannot fulfill the flexible requirement of the users. Moreover, since thick transparent element or multilayer of transparent elements are required to maintain the high temperature of the drying oven, new molds are required to be developed, thereby resulting in high manufacturing expense and complicated process.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a transparent window assembly, which utilizes an assembled type hollow frame for fixing a transparent element, the hollow frame is formed with an engagement groove for engagement with a clamping unit and defining a clamping space together with the transparent element.

A transparent window assembly of the present invention is provided with a clamping unit. The window assembly accordingly includes: a window body defining an opening therethrough; a first hollow frame mounted on the window body at one side of the opening, and formed with a first engagement groove; a second hollow frame mounted on the window body so as to be disposed at the other side of the opening in such a manner that the first and second hollow frames are fastened securely to the opening; and a transparent element disposed between the first and second hollow frames. The clamping unit is fixed to the first engagement groove in the first hollow frame and defines a clamping space together with the transparent element.

As described above, the user can mount the clamping unit according to the desired need on the window body via the first engagement groove, thereby enhancing the effective use of the transparent window assembly of the present invention.

Preferably, the first hollow frame is formed with a plurality of the first engagement grooves uniformly and symmetrically distributed in the first hollow frame.

As described above, the clamping unit is stably and securely mounted on the window body due to symmetric distribution of the first engagement grooves in the first hollow frame.

Preferably, the window body has an inner peripheral portion defining the opening with the first and second hollow frames fastened securely to the inner peripheral portion of the window body.

The second hollow frame is formed with at least one second engagement groove. Preferably, the second hollow frame is formed with a plurality of the second engagement grooves uniformly and symmetrically distributed therein.

More preferably, the first engagement groove in the first hollow frame is further formed with a fixing section.

As described above, the user can quickly fix the clamping on the window body via the fixing section in the first hollow frame.

In order to eliminate the prior art problem, the object of the present invention is to provide a transparent window assembly, which includes a window body defining an opening therethrough; a first hollow frame mounted on the window body at one side of the opening, and formed with a first engagement groove; a second hollow frame mounted on the window body so as to be disposed at the other side of the opening in such a manner that the first and second hollow frames are fastened securely to the opening; and a transparent element disposed between the first and second hollow frames. A clamping unit is fixed to the first engagement groove in the first hollow frame.

Preferably, the clamping unit has at least one clamping section in alignment with and extending clampingly into the first engagement groove of the first hollow frame.

The clamping unit further has a clamping body formed with a coupling element, which consists of a first coupling section, a second coupling section and a protruded section, wherein the first coupling section is integrally formed with the clamping body, the coupling section is fixed to the first coupling section while the protruded section extends integrally and inclinedly from the second coupling section for engaging in the first engagement groove.

Preferably, the clamping unit 5 includes a clamping body, an insert element and a fixing element. The insert element is inserted into the first engagement groove in the first hollow frame with the clamping body being mounted on the insert element while the fixing element is fixed to the insert element such that the clamping body is clamped securely between the insert element and the fixing element.

The first hollow frame is formed with a plurality of the first engagement grooves uniformly and symmetrically distributed therein.

The window body has an inner peripheral portion defining the opening with the first and second hollow frames fastened securely to the inner peripheral portion of the window body.

The second hollow frame is formed with at least one second engagement groove. Preferably, the second hollow frame is formed a plurality of the second engagement grooves uniformly and symmetrically distributed therein.

The first engagement groove 21 of the first hollow frame is further formed with a fixing section.

In order to eliminate the prior art problem, the object of the present invention is to provide a transparent window assembly, which includes a window body defining an opening therethrough; a first hollow frame mounted on the window body at one side of the opening, and formed with a plurality of first engagement grooves; at least one stacked frame mounted on the window body so as to be disposed at the other side of the opening; a first transparent element disposed between the first hollow frame and the stacked frame; a second hollow frame mounted on the window body so as to be disposed at the other side of the opening in such a manner that the second hollow frame is fastened securely to the stacked frame so that the window body is clamped between the first and second hollow frames; and a second transparent element disposed between the stacked frame and the second hollow frame; and a clamping unit fixed to the first engagement groove in the first hollow frame.

The first hollow frame is preferably formed with a plurality of overlapped coupling sections. The stacked frame is formed with a plurality of stacked fixing sections that are in alignment with and that are fastened securely to the overlapped coupling sections. Preferably, each of the fixing sections consists of a fixing stub fastened securely to respective one of the overlapped coupling sections and a fixing hole in alignment with the fixing stub. The stacked frame is further formed with a plurality of rear fixing sections. The second hollow frame is formed with a plurality rear coupling sections in alignment with and fastened securely to the rear fixing sections. More preferably, the fixing sections and the rear fixing sections in the stacked frame are staggered with one another.

The window body has an inner peripheral portion defining the opening with the first hollow frame fastened securely to the inner peripheral portion of the window body. The transparent window assembly of the present invention further includes a backside cover mounted securely to the window body in such a manner that the second hollow frame abuts against the backside cover such that the first and second hollow frames are fastened securely to the inner peripheral portion of the window body.

The second hollow frame is formed a plurality of second engagement grooves uniformly and symmetrically distributed therein.

The clamping unit includes a clamping body and an expansion slot integrally formed with and projecting outwardly from the clamping body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of this invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a transparent window assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention from another view;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of (A) circled portion in FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a clamping unit employed in the first embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates the first embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention in application;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows the third embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention installed in a drying oven;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a drying oven installed with the fourth embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of the fifth embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 14 shows a partially exploded view of the fifth embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 15 shows a partially exploded view of the fifth embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention from another angle;

FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention; and

FIG. 17 shows the sixth embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, wherein FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a transparent window assembly of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention; FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention from another view; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention; FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of (A) circled portion in FIG. 4; and FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a clamping unit employed in the first embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention.

As illustrated, the transparent window assembly 100 of the present invention includes a window body 1, a first hollow frame 2, a second hollow frame 3, a transparent element 4 and a clamping unit 5.

The window body 1 defines an opening 11 therethrough. The window body 1 has an inner peripheral portion 111 defining the opening 11. The window body 1 further has a backside cover 12, the purpose of which will be described later.

The first hollow frame 2 is mounted on the window body 1 at one side of the inner peripheral portion 111, and is formed with twelve first engagement grooves 21 uniformly and symmetrically distributed therein. Each of the first engagement grooves 21 is further formed with a fixing section 211. In this embodiment, the first hollow frame 2 is rectangular and has four sides, each of which is formed with a respective first engagement groove 21 in alignment the corresponding ones. The first engagement grooves 21 at the four sides of the first hollow frame 2 can be non-aligned with one another.

The second hollow frame 3 is mounted on the window body 1 so as to be disposed at the other side of the inner peripheral portion 111 in such a manner that the first and second hollow frames 2,3 are fastened securely to the inner peripheral portion 111. The second hollow frame 3 is formed with twelve second engagement grooves 31 uniformly and symmetrically distributed therein. The twelve second engagement grooves 31 are in alignment the corresponding twelve first engagement grooves 21.

A first transparent element 4 is disposed between the first and second hollow frames 2,3. The first transparent element 4 includes a transparent body 41 formed with four stuffing ribs 42 at four sides thereof, which are used to abut tightly against the first and second hollow frames 2,3 The backside cover 12 is mounted securely only after the transparent element 4 is disposed securely within the inner peripheral portion 111 in such a manner that the second hollow frame 7 abuts against the backside cover 12 such that the first and second hollow frames 2, 7 are fastened securely to the inner peripheral portion of the window body 1 (see FIG. 16).

The clamping unit 5 has a clamping body 51 and two coupling elements 52. The clamping body 51 is formed with three engagement sections 511 in the middle and two coupling sections 512 at opposite sides thereof.

Each coupling element 52 consists of a second coupling section 521 and a protruded section 522, wherein the second coupling sections 521 are fastened to the coupling sections 512 of the clamping body 51 via fastener screws (not visible) while the protruded sections 522 extend integrally and inclinedly from the second coupling section 521 for engaging in the first engagement groove 21. In actual application, the coupling element 52 is fixed within the first engagement groove 21 via the protruded section 522, after which, the coupling sections 512 of the clamping body 51 are fastened onto the second coupling section 521 via fastener screws (not visible), thereby mounting the clamping unit 5 on the first hollow frame 2, wherein the clamping unit 5 cooperates with the first transparent element 4 to define a clamping space therebetween. As best shown in FIG. 5, the clamping body 51 in this embodiment has a box shape.

As described above, after assembling the transparent window assembly of the present invention, a clamping space is defined between the transparent element 4 and the clamping unit 5 to facilitate the user to clamp a sheet of paper in the clamping space.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, wherein, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention while FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention.

The second embodiment is generally similar to the first embodiment in structure, except in the clamping unit 5 a. In this embodiment, the clamping unit 5 a includes a clamping body 51 a, two insert elements 52 a and two fixing elements 53 a. In fact, the clamping body 51 a is in form of a pressing plate.

The clamping body 51 a has two opposite ends each is formed with two fixing holes 511 a. The insert element 52 a is inserted into the first engagement groove 21 of the first hollow frame 2, and is formed with fixing pins 521 a in alignment with and extending into the fixing holes 511 a while the fixing element 53 a is fixed to the insert element 52 a such that the clamping body 51 a is clamped securely between the insert element 52 a and the fixing element 53 a.

As described above, once two opposite ends of the clamping body 51 a are retained in the first engagement groove 21 via the insert and fixing elements 52 a, 53 a, a clamping space is defined between the transparent body 41 and the clamping body 51 a to facilitate clamping of a desired article.

FIG. 8 illustrates the first embodiment of the transparent window assembly 100 of the present invention mounted on a storing cabinet 200. Under this condition, a piece of paper 300 can be clamped in the clamping space defined between the clamping unit 5 and the transparent body 41.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, wherein FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention while FIG. 10 shows the third embodiment of the transparent window assembly of the present invention installed in a drying oven. The third embodiment is generally similar to the first embodiment, except in the clamping unit. In the third embodiment, the clamping unit 5 b is mounted on the second hollow frame 3 in such a manner to define a clamping space between the transparent body 41 and the clamping unit 5 b.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a drying oven 200 installed with the fourth embodiment of the transparent window assembly 100 c of the present invention. The clamping unit 5 c in the fourth embodiment is generally similar to the previous embodiment, except in that the clamping unit 5 c includes a clamping body 51 c and an expansion slot 512 integrally formed with and projecting outwardly from the clamping body 51 c so that the user may place a relatively heavy article in the space defined between the transparent element 41 and the clamping unit 5. As for minor article, such as flat article, the latter can be placed within the expansion slot 512, thereby enhancing the utility of the transparent window assembly of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 12-16, wherein FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the transparent window assembly 100 d of the present invention; FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of the fifth embodiment of the transparent window assembly 100 d of the present invention; FIG. 14 shows a partially exploded view of the fifth embodiment of the transparent window assembly 100 d of the present invention; FIG. 15 shows a partially exploded view of the fifth embodiment of the transparent window assembly 100 d of the present invention from another angle; and FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the transparent window assembly 100 d of the present invention.

As shown, the fifth embodiment of the present invention is generally similar to the first embodiment, except it further includes stacked frame 6 and a second transparent element 7. The first hollow frame 2 is formed with eight overlapped coupling sections 22 and eight fastener coupling sections 23 in addition to 12 first engagement groove 21, wherein the eight overlapped coupling sections 22 and the eight fastener coupling sections 23 are distributed evenly at four sides of the first hollow frame 2 in staggered manner.

The stacked frame 6 is disposed at one side of the inner peripheral portion 111 of the first hollow frame 2, and is formed with eight stacked fixing sections 61 in alignment with and fastened securely to the overlapped coupling sections 22 of the first hollow frame 2 via fastener screws (not shown). Note that each of the fixing sections 61 consists of a fixing stub 611 fastened securely to respective one of the overlapped coupling sections 22 and a fixing hole 612 in alignment with the fixing stub 611 through a respective fastener screw.

In this embodiment, the stacked frame 6 is further formed with a plurality of rear fixing sections 62 staggered relative to the fixing sections 61. The first transparent element 4 is disposed between the first hollow frame 2 and the stacked frame 6, wherein the first transparent element 4 includes a transparent body 41 formed with four stuffing ribs 42 at four sides thereof, which are used to abut tightly against the first hollow frame 2 and the stacked frame 6.

The second hollow frame 3 is formed with eight rear coupling sections 32 in alignment with and fastened securely to the rear fixing sections 62 in the stacked frame 6 via the fastener screws (not visible). The first transparent element 4 disposed between the first hollow frame 2 and the stacked frame 6;

The second transparent element 7 is disposed between the stacked frame 6 and the second hollow frame 3, wherein the second transparent element 7 includes a transparent body 71 formed with four stuffing ribs 72 at four sides thereof, which are used to abut tightly against the second hollow frame 3 and the stacked frame 6. The fifth embodiment of the present invention further includes a backside cover 12 mounted securely to the window body 1 in such a manner that the second hollow frame 7 abuts against the backside cover 12 such that the first and second hollow frames 2, 7 are fastened securely to the inner peripheral portion of the window body 1

Referring to FIGS. 10, 12 and 17, wherein FIG. 17 shows the sixth embodiment of the transparent window assembly 100 e of the present invention, the sixth embodiment has the structure generally similar to the fifth embodiment, except in that the sixth embodiment is mounted pivotally on a storage cabinet 200 while the clamping unit 5 b is mounted on the window body 1 via the second hollow frame 3 so as to define the clamping space between the first transparent element 7 and the clamping unit 5 b.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A transparent window assembly with a clamping unit, the window assembly comprising: a window body defining an opening therethrough; a first hollow frame mounted on the window body at one side of said opening, and formed with a first engagement groove; a second hollow frame mounted on the window body so as to be disposed at the other side of said opening in such a manner that said first and second hollow frames are fastened securely to said opening in said window body; and a transparent element disposed between said first and second hollow frames; the clamping unit being fixed to said first engagement groove in said first hollow frame and defining clamping space together with said transparent element.
 2. The transparent window assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first hollow frame is formed with a plurality of said first engagement grooves uniformly and symmetrically distributed therein.
 3. The transparent window assembly according to claim 1, wherein said window body has an inner peripheral portion defining said opening with said first and second hollow frames fastened securely to said inner peripheral portion of said window body.
 4. The transparent window assembly according to claim 1, wherein said second hollow frame is formed with at least one second engagement groove.
 5. The transparent window assembly according to claim 4, wherein said second hollow frame is formed with a plurality of said second engagement grooves uniformly and symmetrically distributed therein.
 6. The transparent window assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first engagement groove is further formed with a fixing section.
 7. A transparent window assembly comprising: a window body defining an opening therethrough; a first hollow frame mounted on the window body at one side of said opening, and formed with a first engagement groove;; a second hollow frame mounted on the window body so as to be disposed at the other side of said opening in such a manner that said first and second hollow frames are fastened securely to said opening in said window body; and a transparent element disposed between said first and second hollow frames; and a clamping unit fixed to said first engagement groove in said first hollow frame and defining a clamping space together with said transparent element.
 8. The transparent window assembly according to claim 7, wherein said clamping unit has at least one clamping section in alignment with and extending clampingly into said first engagement groove of said first hollow frame.
 9. The transparent window assembly according to claim 7, wherein said clamping unit further has a clamping body formed with a coupling element, which consists of a first coupling section, a second coupling section and a protruded section, wherein said first coupling section is integrally formed with said clamping body, said coupling section being fixed to said first coupling section while said protruded section extending integrally and inclinedly from said second coupling section for engaging in said first engagement groove.
 10. The transparent window assembly according to claim 9, wherein said clamping body has a box shape.
 11. The transparent window assembly according to claim 7, wherein said clamping unit has a clamping body, an insert element and a fixing element, said insert element being inserted into said first engagement groove with said clamping body being mounted on said insert element while said fixing element is fixed to said insert element such that said clamping body is clamped securely between said insert element and said fixing element.
 12. The transparent window assembly according to claim 11, wherein said clamping body is in form of a pressing plate.
 13. The transparent window assembly according to claim 7, wherein said first hollow frame is formed with a plurality of said first engagement grooves uniformly and symmetrically distributed therein.
 14. The transparent window assembly according to claim 7, wherein said window body has an inner peripheral portion defining said opening with said first and second hollow frames fastened securely to said inner peripheral portion of said window body.
 15. The transparent window assembly according to claim 7, wherein said second hollow frame is formed with at least one second engagement groove.
 16. The transparent window assembly according to claim 15, wherein said second hollow frame is formed a plurality of said second engagement grooves uniformly and symmetrically distributed therein.
 17. The transparent window assembly according to claim 7, wherein said first engagement groove is further formed with a fixing section.
 18. A transparent window assembly comprising: a window body defining an opening therethrough; a first hollow frame mounted on the window body at one side of said opening, and formed with a plurality of first engagement grooves; at least one stacked frame mounted on said window body so as to be disposed at the other side of said opening and fastened securely to said first hollow frame; a first transparent element disposed between said first hollow frame and said stacked frame; a second hollow frame mounted on the window body so as to be disposed at the other side of said opening in such a manner that said second hollow frame is fastened securely to said stacked frame so that said window body is clamped between said first and second hollow frames; and a second transparent element disposed between said stacked frame and said second hollow frame; and a clamping unit fixed to said first engagement groove in said first hollow frame.
 19. The transparent window assembly according to claim 18, wherein said first hollow frame is formed with a plurality of overlapped coupling sections, said stacked frame being formed with a plurality of stacked fixing sections in alignment with and fastened securely to said overlapped coupling sections.
 20. The transparent window assembly according to claim 19, wherein each of said fixing sections consists of a fixing stub fastened securely to respective one of said overlapped coupling sections and a fixing hole in alignment with said fixing stub.
 21. The transparent window assembly according to claim 19, wherein said stacked frame is further formed with a plurality of rear fixing sections, said second hollow frame being formed with a plurality rear coupling sections in alignment with and fastened securely to said rear fixing sections.
 22. The transparent window assembly according to claim 21, wherein said fixing sections and said rear fixing sections in said stacked frame are staggered with one another.
 23. The transparent window assembly according to claim 18, wherein said window body has an inner peripheral portion defining said opening with said first hollow frame fastened securely to said inner peripheral portion of said window body.
 24. The transparent window assembly according to claim 23, further comprising a backside cover mounted securely to said window body in such a manner that said second hollow frame abuts against said backside cover such that said first and second hollow frames are fastened securely to said inner peripheral portion of said window body.
 25. The transparent window assembly according to claim 18, wherein said second hollow frame is formed a plurality of second engagement grooves uniformly and symmetrically distributed therein.
 26. The transparent window assembly according to claim 18, wherein said clamping unit includes a clamping body and an expansion slot integrally formed with and projecting outwardly from said clamping body. 